Titans head coach Mike Munchak looks up at the scoreboard as they lose 22 to 14 against the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday Dec. 1, 2013, in Indianapolis , Ind.

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When Tommy Smith assumed control of the Titans after the death of franchise founder and owner Bud Adams in October, his first thought wasn't to make a change at head coach.

Just a week earlier, the family had asked Mike Munchak to give a eulogy at Adams' memorial service. The friendship dates back to 1982, Munchak's first year with the only NFL team he's ever worked for, first as a player, then as a longtime assistant and eventually as head coach.

With the Titans struggling for the second year in a row, however, Smith finds himself agonizing over a difficult football decision, and Munchak's future ...